‘Because they sacrificed, many in our country know no war or oppression’

Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila during the memorial service of Sam Nujoma on 18 February released a statement in honour of the late founding president.

The chairperson of the Public Service Commission and other members of the Public Service Commission present here.
The Cabinet secretary, and the executive director of the Office of the Prime Minister. 

Dear staff members, ladies and gentlemen,

Our country is once again covered under a dark cloud following the death of our founding father, Sam Nuoma, on 8 February. Dr Nujoma has been a pillar of strength, a fountain of wisdom and a source of inspiration for Namibians.
His life of selfless sacrifice for Namibia has helped to bring about the freedom and independence of our country and build a solid foundation for a united prosperous independent Namibia. It has also set an example of patriotism and resilience that should inspire us all as citizens as we embark on the second stage of the struggle, the struggle for economic independence.
As we mourn the passing of our founding father, we must all recommit ourselves to the service of our country. That is the most befitting way to honour our founding president. 

For those of us in the public service this means giving all of ourselves to ensure that the Namibian public receives the best service, that we deploy our skills and talents to drive a transformation of our country that I know the founding president and his comrades in arms cherished and aspired for. That we maintain a spirit of common purpose and action that has enabled our fore bearers to succeed in bringing freedom to our country. That we embrace one another as brothers and sisters, celebrating our diversity as a wealth, rather than seeing each other as strangers and enemies. That we persist in the pursuit of our collective and individual goals, for success to always come to those who persist in their efforts. That we are bold in our efforts, for even the most arduous challenges can indeed be overcome with bravery and unyielding commitment. That we are always focused, clear about what we want to achieve with every action we take, knowing that failure to plan is a sure way to fail.
Nujoma and his generation have fulfilled their historical duties. They have received the arms from our brave forefathers who heroically resisted colonialism to their death, and have bravely carried out the struggle for national independence to its logical conclusion, bringing independence to our land.
They endured untold suffering, but they never gave up. Many paid the ultimate price of life to free our country. Because they sacrificed, many in our country know no war or oppression.
As we mourn our founding president, we are reminded of the sacrifices made for our freedom. We are grateful to have had the founding president, that he could witness the freedom that he sacrificed for and we could experience his wise leadership and benefit from his mentorship.

Therefore, even as the dark cloud of his death hang over us, we take time to celebrate him as a fearless freedom fighter, the leader of our revolution, the founding father of our democratic republic, a revered Namibian hero, a pan Africanist of note, a noble statesman, a father and grandfather to many.

His outstanding leadership and patriotism have earned him respect across the globe as a symbol of African resistance against colonialism, a pan Africanist leader and a respected African statesman.
Nujoma leaves us a rich inheritance of freedom and independence, a strong governance system and a united peaceful nation that provides a strong foundation for future prosperity.

His legacy will continue to live on, inspiring future generations.

To the family of the founding president, Kuku Kovambo, the children and grandchildren, the siblings, the entire Nujoma and Kondombolo families and to the Namibian nation, I wish to extend, on behalf of my family and on behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister, heartfelt condolences on the passing of our founding father. May we all be comforted during this difficult time of mourning, and may the soul of our founding president rest in eternal peace.

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